British Columbia’s Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure is to carry out an independent technical review of the George Massey Tunnel corridor before deciding on a solution. It is in the process of recruiting the individual to lead the technical review, which will focus on what level of improvement is needed as well as which option would be best for the corridor, be it the proposed 10-lane bridge, a smaller bridge or tunnel.

Pending the outcome of the review, the current procurement process has been cancelled and the project will not be budgeted for in the government’s capital plan until a solution has been identified. The terms of the request for proposals dictate that each of the two final bidding teams will be paid up to CA$2m to help offset their expenses to date.

The province has spent approximately US$54m on the estimated US$2.8bn project. BC Hydro has spent approximately CA$20m on its transmission relocation project. Work completed to date is expected to be made use of regardless of which option is chosen.